Got the DT175 back on Thursday after having its carb fettled to try and improve its very poor running and idling but while not quite back to square one, it wasn't far off as it wouldn't idle properly and/or when stopping at junctions it was screaming its nuts off at max rpm. I'd mentioned to the mechanic that there seemed to be a leak at the exhaust manifold as smoke was coming from that area plus there was some oily residue and presumably if it is leaking gas out, it could well be sucking air, but for reasons unknown they hadn't sorted that. After a lot of fiddling I managed to get the manifold bolts tightened up myself last night, but as with everything involving old bikes it was a bit of a faff because I needed to grind down a UJ adapter in order to get a socket on one (metric) bolt, while I had to make a tool in order to tighten the other (imperial) bolt. Judging by the number of turns they were able to take and amount of bright thread now exposed it's no wonder there was a leak. Once that was sealed up properly I had a fiddle with the mixture and idle speed screws and it is now running a lot better and will idle at low revs rather than dying. Once either the girlf or son#2 arrive later today I'll take it out for a run to see if its any better when used in anger. There are also several leaks from pinholes at the bottom bend in the the exhaust header, as that is obviously the spot where acidic water vapour collects, so they'll need sorting next. I did initially think about trying to fill them with weld, but I fear I'm more likely to blast holes in the 40 year old thin degraded steel than seal them up so I'll treat the area to a length of hipster exhaust wrap for the time being until I can get a replacement pipe.
Rode the Scrambler to Langford to try out the new wildass air cushion , stopped at Budgens to let out some air , excuse for a coffee , felt better on the way home .
Just finished up fitting the 1299 electrics to the 959 and couldn’t resist taking it for a quick spin. First time in other 6 months. Got to the bottom of the road, round the roundabout, up towards the M62. Coppers parked up in wait, Ice warning on the dash. Thought bollox to this and went back home. Managed to complete the tyre learn process so at least it knows what tyres I have on. Short but sweet!
I’ve started them both up, then proceeded to change the riding mode back on the V2 to what it should be after the dealers had played with it whilst it was in for servicing. I then took the opportunity to change the clock to BST too in readiness for when the the clocks go forward at the end of the month Tomorrow I may change the clock on the Scrambler
